Deputies investigate body found in northwest Missouri river

EASTON (AP) - Authorities are investigating the death of a man found in a river in northwest Missouri as a homicide.

Buchanan County Sheriff Mike Strong says the body of 28-year-old Richard James Berry was found in the Third Fork River shortly before midnight Saturday. The St. Joseph News-Press reports that Strong said there was trauma to the body. But Strong would not indicate if Berry was dead at the scene or died later after he was pulled from the river.

Authorities said a large blood stain was visible on the bridge, along with blood droplets on the bridge's north side rail.

No one was immediately arrested in the case. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.